Detachable fastening means for table tops and the like



April 1, 1958 vALTRl 2,829,018

DETACHABLE FASTENING MEANS FOR TABLE TOPS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 14,1955 "z zg v ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent DETACHABLE FASTENING MEANS FOR TABLE TOPS AND THELIKE This invention relates to detachable fastening means, and moreparticularly relates to means for detachably fastening, aligning andlevelling sectional table tops and similar panelled constructions wherealignment of sides and levelling of surfaces is required.

It is the chief object of this invention to provide means for detachablyfastening, aligning and levelling the sections of panelledconstructions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide fastening means forpanelled constructions whereby the individual panels may be readilydetached. A

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for detachablyfastening, aligning and levelling the sections of extension table topswhich eliminates the need for using dowels, levelers and locks for thispurpose.

It is a further object of this invention to provide fastening means forextension tables which are adaptable for use with table leaves.

It is a further object of this invention to provide fastening means forextension table tops and the like wherein such means comprises a pair ofopposing L-shaped brackets, a pin secured to one leg of one of saidbrackets, an aperture in one leg of the other bracket, the pin and theaperture being axially aligned, and spring means for detachably holdingthe pin in the aperture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof,reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of a table top utilizing thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevation of a table top shownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the table top with aleaf inserted therein.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the fastening means whichis the subject of this invention.

For the purpose of illustration only, this invention has been shown anddescribed for use in connection with an extension table top. It is to beunderstood that the terms, expressions and illustrations used herein areused as media of description only, and in no way reflect a limitation ofthe invention.

In Fig. 1 is shown a table top divided into sections 11 and 12, having,respectively, opposing sides 8 and 9. To the bottom of section 12 aremounted a pair of sliding rails 13 adapted for reciprocal movement inrail supports 14 attached to the bottom of section 11. Secured to thebottom of section 12, adjacent side 9, is an L-shaped bracket 15 havinga dependent arm 16. The bracket 15 is mounted on section 12 in suchmanner that its dependent arm 16 is spaced inwardly from side 9 ofsection 12 a slight distance 19a. Secured to the distal end of bracketarm 16 is a pin 17 having a notch 18 formed in the upper surfacethereof. Pin 17 is secured to bracket arm 16 by any suitable means, suchas riveting 20. Pin 17 is preferably formed with its distal end 21tapered.

, 2,829,018 Patented Apr. 1, 1958 A second L-shaped bracket 22 issecured to the bottom of table top section 11 in opposing relation tobracket 15. Bracket 22 is mounted adjacent side 8, with its dependentarm 23 spaced inwardly from the side 8 by a slight distance 19b. Bracketarm-23 is formed with an aperture 24 axially aligned with pin 17.Mounted on bracket arm 23 is a spring clip 25 having a transverseindentation formed in its distal end to produce a protuberance 26adapted to snap into notch 18 when pin 17 is properly positioned inaperture 24. Spring clip 25 may be secured to bracket arm 23 by any wellknown means, such as rivet 27.

Brackets 15 and 22 may be secured to the table top sections 11 and 12 byany suitable means, such as screws.

The novel fastening means described above is utilized as follows. Whenthe two table top sections 11 and 12 are pushed together so that theirsides 8 and 9 are contiguous, pin 17 will slide through aperture 24 asufiicient distance to permit protuberance 26 of spring clip 25 to snapinto notch 18. The entry of pin 17 into aperture 24 is facilitated bythe tapered end 21 of the pin. The pressure of spring clip 25 urgingprotuberance 26 into notch 18 is sufiicient to prevent pin 17 from beingremoved from aperture 24 by ordinary force or jarring. Thus, the tabletop sections 11 and 12 will be properly secured, aligned and levelled inabutting relationship.

When it is desired to separate sections 11 and 12, it is merelynecessary to pull them apart under ordinary force, in the usual manner,to disengage protuberance 26 and notch 18, thereby permitting retractionof pin 17 from aperture 24 with case. In ordinary table constructions,it is suggested that from three to six sets of fastening means of thisinvention be used.

The instant invention readily lends itself to use with table leaves. InFig. 3 is shown a leaf 28 mounted between sections 11 and 12. Secured tothe underside of leaf 28 is an L-shaped bracket 29 similar in allrespects to bracket 22 mounted on table top section 11. Mounted on theopposite side of leaf 28 is a second L-shaped bracket 30 similar in allrespects to bracket 15 mounted on table top section 12. It will be notedfrom Fig. 3

that bracket 29 is mounted in opposing relationship to I bracket 15 andthat bracket 30 is mounted in opposing relationship to bracket 22. Whenthe table top sections 11 and 12 are pushed into abutting relationshipwith leaf 28, brackets 15 and 29 and brackets 30 and 22, respectively,will be detachably secured together. It will be obvious from the abovedescription that it is possible to use any number of leaves in a tablewhen this invention is utilized as the fastening means thereof.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been particularlydescribed and illustrated, it is to be understood that variousmodifications and changes in the shape, proportion and arrangement ofthe parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of theclaims. For example, instead of notch 18, a circumferential groove maybe used to receive protuberance 26. If such a groove is adapted, itshould preferably be formed with a curved bottom to facilitatedisengagement of protuberance 26.

The novel fastening means of this invention is readily adaptable to manyuses, in addition to table tops, where panelling is used, such as wallpanelling, concrete molds, etc.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Self-aligning detachable fastening means for interchangeablyconnecting a plurality of objects, such as table top sections, in end toend abutting relationship, said means comprising two opposing brackets,each bracket being secured to one of two abutting objects, an opening inone bracket, a self-centering elongated pin secured to the other bracketand adapted to slideably engage within the opening in the first bracket,and gripping means for detachably securing the pin within the opening ofthe first bracket, said gripping means being adapted to release the pinupon the application of a predetermined force axially of the pin.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the gripping means for detachablysecuring the pin within the opening comprises a spring element adaptedto engage a notch in the References Cited in the file of this patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 464,884 Liming Dec. 8, 1891 4 Sedaj Dec. 31, 1912Bowers Aug. 15, 1922 Buchmann Aug. 5, 1924 Tinnerman Mar. 21, 1939Borchers Feb. 29, 1944 Crackers Aug. 21, 1951 McConnell Apr. 21, 1953Mahr Mar. 15, 1955 Carder Nov. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Great BritainJuly 23, 1952 France Dec. 20, 1934

